Iv flow management systems and methods

ABSTRACT

An intravenous delivery system may operate by gravity feed, and may have a liquid source containing a liquid, a drip unit that receives the liquid from the liquid source, and tubing that receives the liquid from the drip unit for delivery to a patient. A flow rate sensor may be used to measure a flow rate of liquid through the intravenous delivery system, and may generate a flow rate signal indicative of the flow rate. A controller may receive the signal, and may compare the flow rate with a desired flow rate. If the flow rate is more or less than the desired flow rate, the controller may transmit a control signal to a flow rate regulator. The flow rate regulator may receive the control signal and, in response, modify the flow rate to bring the flow rate closer to the desired flow rate.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/854,648, filed Apr. 21, 2020, and entitled IV FLOW MANAGEMENT SYSTEMSAND METHODS, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/078,727, filed Mar. 23, 2016, and entitled IV FLOW MANAGEMENT SYSTEMSAND METHODS, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/141,398, filed Apr. 1, 2015, and entitled IV FLOWMANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS, which are incorporated herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is generally directed to systems and methods forintravenous (“IV”) delivery, by which fluids can be administereddirectly to a patient. More particularly, the present invention isdirected systems and methods for monitoring and/or managing the flow ofa liquid to a patient in the context of a gravity-fed intravenousdelivery system. An intravenous delivery system according to theinvention is used broadly herein to describe components used to deliverthe fluid to the patient, for use in arterial, intravenous,intravascular, peritoneal, and/or non-vascular administration of fluid.Of course, one of skill in the art may use an intravenous deliverysystem to administer fluids to other locations within a patient's body.

One common method of administering fluids into a patient's blood flow isthrough an intravenous delivery system. In many common implementations,an intravenous delivery system may include a liquid source such as aliquid bag, a drip unit with a drip chamber used to moderate the flowrate of fluid from the liquid bag, tubing for providing a connectionbetween the liquid bag and the patient, and an intravenous access unit,such as a catheter that may be positioned intravenously in a patient. Anintravenous delivery system may also include a Y-connector that allowsfor the piggybacking of intravenous delivery systems and for theadministration of medicine from a syringe into the tubing of theintravenous delivery system.

Such intravenous delivery systems often function via “gravity feed.” Ina gravity feed system, the liquid source may be elevated above thepatient, so that a “head” or pressure differential exists between theliquid in the liquid source, and the location at which the liquid isdelivered to the patient. The pressure differential may enable pumps orother fluid transfer mechanisms to be eliminated, thereby reducing thecost and bulk of the intravenous delivery system.

Unfortunately, many such intravenous delivery systems have difficultiesmaintaining a constant flow of the liquid to the patient. The level ofthe liquid in the liquid source will recede over time, and the patientmay move, resulting in variations in the pressure differential thatdetermines the flow rate of the liquid. Additionally, tubing and/orother components of the intravenous delivery system may become pinched,blocked, or otherwise occluded, resulting in unexpected changes in theflow rate of the liquid.

Currently, clinicians often measure the flow rate of the liquid bycounting the drops entering the drip chamber over a set period of time.The clinician must then calculate the resulting flow rate and compare itto the desired flow rate to determine the necessary flow rateadjustment. This flow rate adjustment may then be made by manuallyadjusting a device such as a clamp on the tubing. The clinician may thencount the drops entering the drip chamber again to determine whether thedesired flow rate has been achieved. This procedure is time-consumingfor the clinician, and subject to human error.

Accordingly, a less time-consuming and more reliable method is neededfor controlling the flow rate of liquid delivered via an intravenousdelivery system. Further, in order to reduce the cost of medical caredelivery, there exists a need for such methods to be simple andcost-effective, and preferably to avoid the necessity for complicatedequipment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to systemsand methods for controlling the flow rate of liquid through anintravenous delivery system. The intravenous delivery system may have aliquid source containing a liquid to be delivered to a patient, a dripunit, and tubing. The tubing may have a first end connectable to theliquid source, and a second end connectable to a vent cap and/or anintravenous delivery unit that provides the liquid intravenously to thepatient.

The intravenous delivery system may have a flow rate control system thatcontrols the flow rate of the liquid to the patient. The flow ratecontrol system may have a flow rate sensor, a flow rate regulator, and acontroller. The flow rate sensor may detect the flow rate of the liquidflowing through the intravenous delivery system and transmit a flow ratesignal indicative of the flow rate to the controller. The controller maycompare the flow rate to a desired flow rate, and if needed, transmit acontrol signal to the flow rate regulator to cause the flow rateregulator to move to a different state, in which a larger or smallerflow rate of the liquid is provided.

The flow rate sensor may be coupled to the drip unit to measure the rateat which the liquid flows through the drip unit. This may beaccomplished by counting the drops of the liquid that enter the dripchamber within a predetermined period of time, measuring thedifferential mass of the liquid over a predetermined period of time,measuring the differential volume of the liquid over a predeterminedperiod of time, measuring a difference in liquid temperature upstreamand downstream of a heat source, and/or through the use of othermethods.

In one embodiment, the flow rate sensor may have an interior cavity thatreceives the lower portion of the drip unit, with arms that extendupward toward the top of the drip unit. One arm may have a light source,and the other arm may have a light sensor that detects the light fromthe light source. Drops of the liquid entering the drip chamber mayblock the light, and may thus be detected and counted through the use ofthe light sensor. The flow rate sensor may have a key feature receiverthat receives a key feature on the drip unit to provide informationpertinent to the drip unit to the flow rate sensor, such as the size ofthe orifice through which drops of the liquid enter the drip chamber.Thus, the number of drops may be counted to determine the flow rate ofthe liquid into the drip chamber.

The flow rate regulator may be coupled to the tubing to control the rateof liquid flow through the tubing by compressing the tubing to varyingdegrees. The flow regulator may have a pinching member that slides alonga slot oriented at an angle relative to the tubing, such that thepinching member pinches the tubing closed at the end of the slot that isnearest to the tubing, and allows the tubing to be completely open atthe end of the slot that is furthest from the tubing. Alternatively, theflow rate regulator may have a cam member with a variable radius curvedrim that rotates to different orientations to variably pinch the tubingbetween the variable radius curved rim and an opposing member.

The flow rate sensor may transmit a flow rate signal indicative of theflow rate to the controller. The controller may compare the flow ratewith the desired flow rate, and may a control signal to the flow rateregulator, if needed. The flow rate signal and the control signal may besent and received via wired and/or wireless transmission. The controllermay have a user input device and a display screen that facilitatesreceipt of data from a user such as a clinician, and facilitates displayof other information, such as the flow rate, to the clinician.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention may beincorporated into certain embodiments of the invention and will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter. The present invention does not require that all theadvantageous features and all the advantages described herein beincorporated into every embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other featuresand advantages of the invention are obtained will be readily understood,a more particular description of the invention briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that areillustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered tolimit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an intravenous delivery system witha flow rate control system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method of controlling theflow rate of liquid delivered with an intravenous delivery system,according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a drip unit and flow rate sensoraccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation, section view of a flow rate regulatoraccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a flow rate regulator according toanother embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method of controlling theflow rate of liquid delivered with an intravenous delivery system,according to an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The presently preferred embodiments of the present invention can beunderstood by reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbersindicate identical or functionally similar elements. It will be readilyunderstood that the components of the present invention, as generallydescribed and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, thefollowing more detailed description, as represented in the figures, isnot intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed, but ismerely representative of presently preferred embodiments of theinvention.

Moreover, the Figures may show simplified or partial views, and thedimensions of elements in the Figures may be exaggerated or otherwisenot in proportion for clarity. In addition, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a terminal includesreference to one or more terminals. In addition, where reference is madeto a list of elements (e.g., elements a, b, c), such reference isintended to include any one of the listed elements by itself, anycombination of less than all of the listed elements, and/or acombination of all of the listed elements.

The term “substantially” means that the recited characteristic,parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations orvariations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error,measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those ofskill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effectthe characteristic was intended to provide.

As used herein, the term “proximal”, “top”, “up” or “upwardly” refers toa location on the device that is closest to the clinician using thedevice and farthest from the patient in connection with whom the deviceis used when the device is used in its normal operation. Conversely, theterm “distal”, “bottom”, “down” or “downwardly” refers to a location onthe device that is farthest from the clinician using the device andclosest to the patient in connection with whom the device is used whenthe device is used in its normal operation.

As used herein, the term “in” or “inwardly” refers to a location withrespect to the device that, during normal use, is toward the inside ofthe device. Conversely, as used herein, the term “out” or “outwardly”refers to a location with respect to the device that, during normal use,is toward the outside of the device.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a front elevation view illustrates an intravenousdelivery system 100 according to one embodiment. As shown, theintravenous delivery system 100 may have a number of components, whichmay include a liquid source 102, a drip unit 104, tubing 106 a retentionunit 108, a vent cap 110, and an intravenous access unit 112. The mannerin which these components are illustrated in FIG. 1 is merely exemplary;those of skill in the art will recognize that a wide variety ofintravenous delivery systems exist. Thus, the various components theintravenous delivery system 100 may be omitted, replaced, and/orsupplemented with components different from those illustrated.

The liquid source 102 may have a container containing a liquid 122 to bedelivered intravenously to a patient. The liquid source 102 may, forexample, have a membrane 120, which may be formed of a translucent,flexible polymer or the like. The membrane 120 may thus have a baglikeconfiguration. The membrane 120 may be shaped to contain the liquid 122.

The drip unit 104 may be designed to receive the liquid 122 from themembrane 120 in a measured rate, for example, as a series of dripsoccurring at a predictable, consistent rate. The drip unit 104 may bepositioned below the membrane 120 so as to receive the liquid 122 viagravity feed. The drip unit 104 may have a receiving device 130 thatreceives the liquid 122 from the liquid source 102, a drip feature 132that determines the rate at which the liquid 122 is received by the dripunit 104, and an exterior wall 133 that defines a drip chamber 134 inwhich the liquid 122 is collected. The drip feature 132 may have anorifice 136 through which the liquid 122 passes to reach the dripchamber 134; the size (for example, diameter) of the orifice 136 maydetermine the size of the drops 138, and hence, the volume of the liquid122 in each of the drops 138.

The tubing 106 may be standard medical grade tubing. The tubing 106 maybe formed of a flexible, translucent material such as a silicone rubber.The tubing 106 may have a first end 140 and a second end 142. The firstend 140 may be coupled to the drip unit 104, and the second end 142 maybe coupled to the vent cap 110, such that the liquid 122 flows from thedrip unit 104 to the vent cap 110, through the tubing 106.

The retention unit 108 may be used to retain various other components ofthe intravenous delivery system 100. As shown, the retention unit 108may have a main body 150 and an extension 152. Generally, the tubing 106may be connected to the main body 150 proximate the first end 140, andto the extension 152 proximate the second end 142. Various racks,brackets, and/or other features may be used in addition to or in placeof the retention unit 108.

The vent cap 110 may be coupled to the second end 142 of the tubing 106.The vent cap 110 may have a vent, such as a hydrophilic membrane that issubstantially permeable to air, but not to the liquid 122. Thus, airfrom within the vent cap 110 can be vented from the intravenous deliverysystem 100, with limited leakage of the liquid 122 from the intravenousdelivery system 100.

The intravenous access unit 112 may be used to supply the liquid 122 tothe vascular system of the patient. The intravenous access unit 112 mayhave a first end 160 and an access end 162 with a cannula or otherfeature configured to deliver the liquid 122 internally to the patient.The first end 160 may be connectable to the second end 142 of the tubing106 in place of the vent cap 110. Thus, when the intravenous deliverysystem 100 is fully primed, the intravenous access unit 112 may becoupled to the second end 142 of the tubing 106 in place of the vent cap110. In alternative embodiments (not shown), various connectors such asY-adapters may be used to connect the first end 160 of the intravenousaccess unit 112 to the tubing 106 without detaching the vent cap 110from the second end 142 of the tubing 106.

The intravenous delivery system 100 may be primed by connecting thecomponents (except for the intravenous access unit 112) together asillustrated in FIG. 1 , and then allowing the liquid 122 to gravity feedthrough the drip unit 104 and the tubing 106 into the vent cap 110. Ifdesired, the drip unit 104 may be squeezed or otherwise pressurized toexpedite flow of the liquid 122 through the tubing 106.

As the liquid 122 flows through the tubing 106, air may become entrainedin the liquid 122. This air may move from the first end 140 of thetubing 106, toward the second end 142 of the tubing 106, along with thecolumn of liquid 122. This entrained air may gather into bubblesproximate the second end 142 of the tubing 106. The vent cap 110 may bedesigned to receive the liquid 122 to permit such air bubbles to bevented from the intravenous delivery system 100 through the vent cap110. Once air has been vented from within the intravenous deliverysystem 100, the intravenous access unit 112 may be coupled to the secondend 142 of the tubing 106 and used to deliver the liquid 122 to thepatient.

The intravenous delivery system 100 may also include a flow rate controlsystem 170 that monitors and controls the flow rate of the liquid 122 tothe patient. The flow rate control system 170 may have a flow ratesensor 180, a flow rate regulator 182, and a controller 184. The flowrate sensor 180, the flow rate regulator 182, and the controller 184 maybe connected together in a manner that permits signals to pass betweenthem, for example, via wires 186.

The flow rate sensor 180 may sense the flow rate of the liquid 122passing through the drip unit 104, and transmit a flow rate signal tothe controller 184 indicative of the flow rate. The controller 184 maydetermine whether the flow rate is too large or too small, and maytransmit a corresponding control signal to the flow rate regulator 182.The flow rate regulator 182 may then operate to reduce or increase theflow rate of the liquid 122 through the intravenous delivery system 100.This method will be show and described in greater detail in connectionwith FIG. 2 .

The flow rate sensor 180 is shown in generalized form, and may thus havea variety of configurations. As shown, the flow rate sensor 180 may besecured to the drip unit 104 to measure the flow rate of the liquid 122through the drip unit 104. In alternative embodiments, the flow ratesensor 180 may be secured to and/or positioned proximate othercomponents, such as the liquid source 102, the tubing 106, the retentionunit 108, and/or the intravenous access unit 112, in order to measurethe flow rate of the liquid 122 through those components.

The flow rate sensor 180 may include any of a wide variety of sensortypes. According to some embodiments, the flow rate sensor 180 mayfunction by counting the number of drops 138 received within the dripchamber 134 within a predetermined period of time, in a manner similarto that followed by clinicians when manually assessing flow rates ofexisting intravenous delivery systems. For example, the flow rate sensor180 may have a light source (not shown) and an optical sensor (notshown) positioned on opposite sides of the drip unit 104. The opticalsensor may detect occlusion of the light source due to the existence ofthe one of the drops 138 between the optical sensor and the lightsource, and may thus register the presence of the drop 138. The flowrate sensor 180 may increment a count each time a new occlusion ismeasured to count the number of the drops 138. One example of such aflow rate sensor 180 will be shown and described in connection with FIG.3 .

As another exemplary embodiment in which the flow rate sensor 180 countsthe drops 138, electrodes (not shown) may be positioned in the interiorof the drip chamber 134 such that each drop 138 completes and electricalcircuit to indicate the presence of the drop 138. The flow rate sensor180 may count the number of times the circuit is closed to count thenumber of the drops 138. Other exemplary methods of counting the drops138 include the use of an acoustic sensor (not shown) within the dripchamber 134 to count the number of times a drop 138 strikes the liquid122 within the drip chamber 134 based on the resulting acoustic energy,and the use of a floater (not shown) with an accelerometer or othermotion sensor (not shown) that detects the resulting ripples to countthe drops 138.

In other embodiments, the flow rate sensor 180 may measure differentvalues to determine the flow rate of the liquid 122 through theintravenous delivery system 100. For example, a scale (not shown) may beused to measure the weight of one or more components of the intravenousdelivery system 100. For example, the liquid source 102 may hang from ahook or other implement (not shown) connected to a strain gauge-basedload cell or the like (not shown) to measure the weight of the liquidsource 102, the drip unit 104, and/or the portion of the tubing 106 thatis supported by the hook. Weight measurements may be taken before andafter a predetermined time period. The differential weight may be theweight of the liquid 122 that has flowed from the hanging components tothe patient during the predetermined period of time. If desired, theliquid 122 to be administered to the patient may be gravimetricallyprepared so that the desired flow rate (by weight) of the liquid 122will be known.

In still other embodiments, the flow rate sensor 180 may measure changesin the volume of the liquid 122 to determine the flow rate of the liquid122 through the intravenous delivery system 100. For example, the volumeof the liquid 122 remaining in the liquid source 102 may be measuredbefore and after passage of a predetermined period of time. Thedifferential volume may be the volume of the liquid 122 that has flowedthrough the intravenous delivery system 100 during the predeterminedperiod of time. Volume may be measured, for example, by measuring thepressure of the liquid 122 in the bottom of the liquid source 102 with apressure sensor (not shown) or the like. The pressure of the liquid 122within the liquid source 102 may provide the height of the column of theliquid 122 (above the pressure sensor), and this, in combination withthe horizontal cross-sectional area of the liquid source 102 may be usedto obtain the volume of the liquid 122 within the liquid source 102.

The volume of the liquid 122 may additionally or alternatively bemeasured by measuring the height of the liquid 122 within the liquidsource 102 through the use of electrodes (not shown) in the wall of theliquid source 102. Inductance and/or capacitance between electrodes maybe measured to determine the height of the column of the liquid 122.Again, the horizontal cross-sectional area of the liquid source 102 maybe used, in combination with the change in height of the column of theliquid 122, to ascertain the volume of the liquid 122 that has flowedthrough the intravenous delivery system 100. The resolution of heightmeasurements that can be made via this method may be limited to thespacing between adjacent electrodes. The accuracy of the measurement maybe enhanced by using many electrodes and positioning them closetogether, and/or selecting a longer predetermined time period formeasurement.

In yet other embodiments, the flow rate sensor 180 may measure stillother aspects of the liquid 122. For example, the flow rate sensor 180may include a heat source (not shown) such as a resistive heater, andtwo temperature sensors (not shown) such as thermocouples, which may bepositioned upstream and downstream of the heat source. The temperaturedifferential between the two temperature sensors may be proportional tothe flow rate of the liquid, as more rapid flow may expedite heattransfer by convection from the heat source to the downstreamtemperature sensor. Some such flow rate sensors are marketed bySensirion, AG of Switzerland. The temperature sensors and heat sourcemay beneficially be positioned in a relatively narrow fluid pathway,such as that of the bottom portion of the drip unit 104 and/or thetubing 106, so as to minimize turbulence and other factors that mayotherwise cause unpredictable flow of the heat from the heat source.

These are just some examples of flow rate sensors that may be usedwithin the scope of the present disclosure. A wide variety of sensorsand methods are known for detection of liquid flow rates; those of skillin the art will recognize that a flow rate control system, such as theflow rate control system 170, may utilize any known sensor and method.

The flow rate regulator 182 is also shown in generalized form and mayalso have a variety of configurations. The flow rate regulator 182 maybe coupled to the tubing 106 between the first end 140 and the secondend 142. If desired, the flow rate regulator 182 may act as a valve, andmay only have an open state that permits relatively free flow of theliquid 122 through the intravenous delivery system 100, and a closedstate in which such flow is not permitted. Additionally oralternatively, the flow rate regulator 182 may have multiple open statesthat provide varying rates of flow (for example, a more open state and aless open state). The flow rate regulator 182 may have only a limitednumber of discrete states, or may provide continuous adjustabilitybetween two end states, such as a fully open state and a fully closedstate.

The flow rate regulator 182 may include any of a wide variety ofregulator types. According to some embodiments, the flow rate regulator182 may function by applying a variable degree of pinching force to thetubing 106, thereby providing adjustability in the flow rate of theliquid 122 through the tubing 106. Examples of such embodiments will beshown and described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 .

In other embodiments, the flow rate regulator 182 may regulate the flowrate of the liquid 122 through the intravenous delivery system 100through the use of other structures and/or methods. For example, theflow rate regulator 182 may include a valve (not shown), which may havea valve seat and a plunger that resides in the valve seat in the closedstate, but permits the liquid 122 to flow between the valve seat and theplunger in the open state. Such a valve may have multiple open statesthat provide varying flow rates, for example, based on the amount ofspace through which the liquid 122 can flow between the plunger and thevalve seat. A wide variety of valves exist, including but not limited toball valves, butterfly valves, ceramic disc valves, choke valves,diaphragm valves, gate valves, globe valves, knife valves, needlevalves, pinch valves, piston valves, plug valves, poppet valves, andspool valves. The flow rate regulator 182 may, in various embodiments,incorporate any one or more such valve designs.

These are just some examples of flow rate regulators that may be usedwithin the scope of the present disclosure. A wide variety of sensorsand methods are known for regulation of liquid flow rates; those ofskill in the art will recognize that a flow rate control system, such asthe flow rate control system 170, may utilize any known regulator andmethod.

The controller 184 is illustrated in FIG. 1 in a more particularembodiment. As shown, the controller 184 may be secured to the retentionunit 108 for easy access. The controller 184 may be integrated in acomputing device having a tablet-like design, with a user input device190 and a display screen 192. The user input device 190 may includevarious buttons and/or switches. The display screen 192 may utilize anyof various display technologies, and may display information for theclinician, in textual and/or graphical form, that pertains to theoperation of the intravenous delivery system 100. If desired, thedisplay screen 192 may be a touch screen or the like, and may thus alsoact as a user input device.

The controller 184 may be coupled to the flow rate sensor 180 and theflow rate regulator 182 via the wires 186. Thus, the controller 184 mayreceive flow rate signals from the flow rate sensor 180 indicative ofthe flow rate of the liquid 122, and may transmit control signals to theflow rate regulator 182 that indicate how the flow rate of the liquid122 is to be modified. The controller 184 may also have a processorcapable of receiving the flow rate signals, performing any computationalsteps needed to ascertain which control signals should be sent, andgenerating the control signals for transmission to the flow rateregulator 182.

The controller 184 may optionally be used for functions besides theregulation of the flow of the liquid 122 through the intravenousdelivery system 100. For example, the controller 184 may help to trackthe condition of the patient and/or other treatments administered to himor her. If desired, information from other monitors may be routed to thecontroller 184 and displayed on the display screen 192.

The controller 184 of FIG. 1 is merely exemplary. In other embodiments,a controller according to the present disclosure may be part of any typeof computing device, including but not limited to desktop computers,computer terminals, tablets, PDA's smartphones, and the like. Thus, acontroller may have various hardware and software components. Acontroller according to the present disclosure may be designed only forflow rate regulation, or may be a multi-function device.

Further, a controller according to the present disclosure may be housedin various structures. The controller 184 of FIG. 1 is in a housingindependent from the flow rate sensor 180 and the flow rate regulator182. However, in alternative embodiments (not shown), a controller maybe integrated with either or both of a flow rate sensor and a flow rateregulator. Such a controller may be located in the same housing as theflow rate sensor or the flow rate regulator. If desired, all threecomponents (flow rate sensor, flow rate regulator, and controller) mayall share a common housing, which may, for example, be coupled to thedrip unit 104 and to the tubing 106, adjacent to the drip unit 104.

A method 200, in generalized form, of controlling the flow of the liquid122 through the intravenous delivery system 100 will be provided inconnection with FIG. 2 . A more specific example will be presented inconnection with FIG. 6 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , a flowchart diagram illustrates a method 200 ofcontrolling the flow of an infusate through an intravenous deliverysystem, according to one embodiment. The method 200 will be describedwith reference to the intravenous delivery system 100 of FIG. 1 ,including the flow rate control system 170. However, those of skill inthe art will recognize that the method 200 may be carried out withdifferent intravenous delivery systems and/or different flow ratecontrol systems. Similarly, the intravenous delivery system 100,including the flow rate control system 170, may be used via methodsother than that of FIG. 2 .

The method 200 may start 210 with a step 220 in which the desired flowrate is received, for example, by the controller 184. This may be doneby permitting a user, such as a clinician, to enter the desired flowrate via the user input device 190 of the controller 184. The desiredflow rate may be a specific volumetric or gravimetric flow rate, whichmay be an ideal flow rate about which some variation is acceptable.Additionally or alternatively, the desired flow rate may be a range ofvolumetric or gravimetric flow rates that are acceptable. If desired,the desired flow rate may be shown on the display screen 192 of thecontroller 184. The step 220 may be omitted if the desired flow rate isalready present in the controller 184, for example, from a previousinfusion.

In a step 225, the flow rate of the liquid 122 through the intravenousdelivery system 100 may be measured by the flow rate sensor 180. Thismay be done in any of a wide variety of ways, as set forth in thedescription of FIG. 1 . In a step 230, the flow rate sensor 180 maygenerate a flow rate signal indicative of the measured flow rate. Theflow rate signal may be transmitted by the flow rate sensor 180.

In a step 235, the controller 184 may receive the flow rate signal. In astep 240, the controller 184 may optionally display the flow rate, forexample, on the display screen 192 of the controller 184. Thus, aclinician may easily glance at the display screen 192 to view thedesired flow rate and/or the current flow rate of the liquid 122 throughthe intravenous delivery system 100.

In a step 245, the flow rate measured by the flow rate sensor 180 may becompared with the desired flow rate. This may entail comparing the flowrate to a single desired flow rate, or to the upper and lower bounds ofa range of desired flow rates. This comparison may simply entailsubtracting the desired flow rate from the flow rate, yielding a flowrate differential indicative of (a) whether the flow rate is above orbelow the desired flow rate, and (b) the magnitude of the differencebetween the flow rate and the desired flow rate.

The controller 184 may generate a control signal indicative of thecorrection in flow rate that needs to be made. The control signal mayspecify whether to move the flow rate regulator 182 to an open state ora closed state, and/or the magnitude of flow that should be permittedthrough the flow rate regulator 182. In a step 250, the control signalmay be transmitted by the controller 184.

In a step 255, the control signal may be received by the flow rateregulator 182. In a step 260, the flow rate regulator 182 may modify theflow rate of the liquid 122 through the intravenous delivery system 100in accordance with the control signal. As indicated previously, thismodification may entail moving the flow rate regulator 182 to a positionin which all, part, or none of the flow of the liquid 122 is blocked bythe flow rate regulator 182. In some embodiments, the control signal maydirect the flow rate regulator 182 not to alter the flow rate at all.Additionally or alternatively, a control signal may be sent by thecontroller 184 only if there is to be a change in the flow rate of theliquid 122; in the event that the flow rate regulator 182 does notreceive a flow rate signal at any given point in time, the flow rateregulator 182 may simply remain at the state corresponding to the lastflow rate signal received.

In a query 265, the flow rate control system 170 (for example, in thecontroller 184) may determine whether delivery of the liquid 122 iscomplete. For example, if the flow rate sensor 180 detects that theliquid 122 is no longer flowing through the intravenous delivery system100, and the flow rate regulator 182 is in an open state or a partiallyopen state, the controller 184 may conclude that the liquid 122 has beendepleted. Alternatively, a user such as a clinician may manually directthe controller 184 to stop infusion, for example, by entering a stopcommand on the user input device 190.

Additionally or alternatively, the controller 184 may be programmed todeliver a specific gravimetric or volumetric quantity of the liquid 122to the patient. The controller 184 may maintain a record of the totalvolume and/or mass of the liquid 122 that has been delivered to thepatient, and may increment this value as needed with every iteration.Once the specified amount of the liquid 122 has been delivered, thecontroller 184 may determine that infusion is complete, providing anaffirmative answer to the query 265.

If the query 265 is answered in the affirmative, the method 200 may thenend 290. If the query 265 is answered in the negative, additionalquantities of the liquid 122 are to be delivered to the patient. Hence,the method 200 may proceed to a new iteration by returning to the step225. Thus, the method 200 may iterate until infusion is complete and themethod 200 ends 290.

Referring to FIG. 3 , a front elevation view illustrates a drip unit 304and flow rate sensor 380 according to one embodiment. The flow ratesensor 380 illustrates one manner in which the flow rate of the liquid122 can be measured.

The drip unit 304 may be designed to receive the liquid 122 from aliquid source, such as the liquid source 102 of FIG. 1 . The drip unit304 may be positioned below the liquid source so as to receive theliquid 122 via gravity feed. The drip unit 304 may have a receivingdevice 330 that receives the liquid 122 from the liquid source, a dripfeature 332 that determines the rate at which the liquid 122 is receivedby the drip unit 304, and an exterior wall 333 that defines a dripchamber 334 in which the liquid 122 is collected. The drip feature 332may have an orifice 336 through which the liquid 122 passes to reach thedrip chamber 334; the size (for example, diameter) of the orifice 336may determine the size of the drops 338, and hence, the volume of theliquid 122 in each of the drops 338.

The drip unit 304 may have a key feature 350 that protrudes from theexterior wall 333 of the drip unit 304. The key feature 350 may be aridge, polygonal protrusion, symbol, and/or any other feature. The keyfeature 350 may indicate the size of the orifice 336 to facilitatecalculation of the flow rate of the liquid 122 by counting the number ofthe drops that enter the drip chamber 334. Generally, a “key feature” isany feature of an article that can be used to provide an indication ofan attribute of a different feature of the article. In alternativeembodiments (not shown), a drip chamber or other component of anintravenous delivery system may have a key feature that is a recess orother type of feature different from the feature types set forth abovein connection with the key feature 350 of the drip unit 304.

The flow rate sensor 380 may be shaped to encase the lower portion ofthe drip unit 304, and may thus have an interior cavity 382 in which thedrip unit 304 may be inserted. The flow rate sensor 380 may have a firstarm 384 and a second arm 386 that extend upward toward the drip feature332 of the drip unit 304.

The flow rate sensor 380 may be designed to count the number of thedrops 338 that enter the drip chamber 334 optically, as describedpreviously. Thus, the first arm 384 may have a light source 388, whichmay be a coherent light source such as a laser, or an incoherent lightsource. The light source 388 may emit light 390, which may pass throughthe drip chamber 334. The second arm 386 may have a light sensor 392that detects the light 390. The light 390 may be of such a wavelengththat the light 390 is absorbed, reflected, and/or refracted the liquid122. Thus, the light 390 may be occluded when one of the drops 338 ispresent at the egress from the orifice 336, in alignment with the pathfollowed by the light 390 as it travels from the light source 388 to thelight sensor 392. Thus, the light sensor 392 may detect the formation ofa drop 338 when the light 390 is no longer detected, and the release ofthe drop 338 when the light 390 is once again detected.

As indicated previously, the flow rate sensor 380 may count the numberof times this cycle occurs within a predetermined period of time todetermine how many of the drops 338 enter the drip chamber 334 withinthe predetermined period of time. The flow rate sensor 380 may haveinterior logic circuitry (not shown) capable of performing suchcalculations. The key feature 350 may provide the size of the orifice336, which may be received by flow rate sensor 380 and used to determinethe flow rate of the liquid 122 based on the number of drop 338 receivedwithin the drip chamber 334.

If desired, the flow rate sensor 380 may have a key feature receiver 396that receives and/or otherwise registers with the key feature 350. Thekey feature receiver 396 may detect the configuration of the key feature350 to enable the flow rate sensor 380 to determine the size of theorifice 336 based on the presence of the key feature 350. If desired,only one type of drip unit may have the key feature 350. In such anembodiment, the key feature receiver 396 need only detect whether or notthe key feature 350 is present. The key feature receiver 396 need notdifferentiate between different types of key features. The key featurereceiver 396 may thus have a switch, an electrical contact, or anotherelement that can be used to electrically detect the presence of the keyfeature 350.

If desired, multiple different drip units may be made, with a varietyorifice sizes and key feature types. Thus, the key feature receiver maybe designed to determine not only that the key feature 350 is present,but also to determine which type of key feature 350 is on the drip unit304. The key feature 350 may have one or more projecting fingers orother aspects that are detectable by the key feature receiver 396, forexample, through the use of multiple switches, electrical contacts, orother elements (not shown) within the key feature receiver 396. Thus,the flow rate sensor 380 may automatically determine the size of theorifice 336 in response to assembly of the drip unit 304 and the flowrate sensor 380.

The flow rate sensor 380 may be connected to a controller (not shown),which may be similar to the controller 184 of FIG. 1 , or may have adifferent configuration. If desired, the connection between the flowrate sensor 380 and the controller may be wireless. Thus, the flow ratesensor 380 may have a wireless transmitter 398 that wirelessly transmitsthe flow rate signal to the controller. The wireless transmitter 398 mayoperate based on any known wireless data transfer protocol, includingbut not limited to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Smart, ZigBee, NFC, andthe like. The controller (not shown) may have a receiver capable ofreceiving the wireless signal transmitted by the flow rate sensor 380.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a front elevation, section view illustrates a flowrate regulator 482 according to one embodiment. The flow rate regulator482 may be coupled to the tubing 106 proximate the first end 140 of thetubing 106, like the flow rate regulator 182 of FIG. 1 . The flow rateregulator 482 may be designed to control the flow rate of the liquid 122through the intravenous delivery system 100 by pinching the tubing 106to a variable degree.

The flow rate regulator 482 may have a frame 410, a pinching member 412,a motor 414, a pinion 416, and a rack 418. The frame 410 may secure theflow rate regulator 482 to the tubing 106. The frame 410 may be shapedto define an abutting surface 430 and a slot 432. The abutting surface430 may extend alongside the tubing 106 such that the tubing 106 residesbetween the abutting surface 430 and the pinching member 412. The slot432 may have a first end 434 and a second end 436.

The motor 414 may be secured to the frame 410, and the pinion 416 may becoupled to the motor 414 such that the pinion 416 rotates in response torotation of the spindle of the motor 414. The rack 418 may be positionedbetween the pinion 416 and the pinching member 412 such that rotation ofthe pinion 416 causes the rack 418 to move in a first direction, asindicated by the arrow 440, or in a second direction, as indicated bythe arrow 442. The pinching member 412 may have a shaft or other feature(not shown) that resides within the slot 432, and enables the pinchingmember 412 to move along the slot 432.

Motion of the rack 418 in the first direction may cause the pinchingmember 412 to move along the slot 432 in a first direction, as indicatedby the arrow 450, toward the first end 434 of the slot 432. Similarly,motion of the rack 418 in the second direction may cause the pinchingmember 412 to move along the slot 432 in a second direction, asindicated by the arrow 452, toward the second end 436 of the slot 432.The pinching member 412 may be rigidly secured to the rack 418 such thatthe pinching member 412 translates along with the rack 418.Alternatively, the pinching member 412 may be rolled, in a combinationof translation and rotation, by the motion of the rack 418. Rollingmotion of the pinching member 412 may help to avoid undesired abrasionof the exterior surface of the tubing 106 by the pinching member 412 asthe pinching member 412 moves along the slot 432.

The slot 432 may be oriented at an angle nonparallel andnonperpendicular to the tubing 106 and the abutting surface 430. Thefirst end 434 of the slot 432 may be further from the tubing 106 and theabutting surface 430 than the second end 436 of the slot 432. Hence,motion of the pinching member 412 toward the first end 434 of the slot432 may bring the pinching member 412 further from the abutting surface430. This may causing the pinching member 412 and the abutting surface430 to pinch less, or potentially not at all, on the tubing 106, therebypermitting a higher rate of flow of the liquid 122 through the tubing106. On the other hand, motion of the pinching member 412 toward thesecond end 436 of the slot 432 may bring the pinching member 412 closerto the abutting surface 430. This may cause the pinching member 412 andthe slot 432 to pinch more severely on the tubing 106, thereby reducingthe flow rate of the liquid 122 through the tubing 106.

If desired, the pinching member 412 may be movable by degrees to variouspositions between the first end 434 and the second end 436 of the slot432. Thus, the flow rate regulator 482 may provide multiple possibleflow rates of the liquid 122. The motor 414 may be stepper motor orother motor that facilitates accurate positioning of the pinching member412 by providing relatively precise motion stops. The pinching member412 may additionally provide a fully open state when positionedproximate the first end 434, and a fully closed state when positionedproximate the second end 436. Thus, the flow rate regulator 482 mayprovide flexible flow rate control with a high degree of simplicity.

The flow rate regulator 482 may be connected to a controller (notshown), which may be similar to the controller 184 of FIG. 1 , or mayhave a different configuration. If desired, the connection between theflow rate regulator 482 and the controller may be wireless. Thus, theflow rate regulator 482 may have a wireless receiver 498 that wirelesslyreceives the control signal from the controller. The wireless receiver498 may operate based on any known wireless data transfer protocol,including but not limited to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Smart, ZigBee,NFC, and the like. The controller (not shown) may have a transmittercapable of sending the control signal wirelessly to the flow rateregulator 482.

Referring to FIG. 5 , a front elevation view illustrates a flow rateregulator 582 according to another embodiment. The flow rate regulator582 may be coupled to the tubing 106 proximate the first end 140 of thetubing 106, like the flow rate regulator 182 of FIG. 1 and the flow rateregulator 482 of FIG. 4 . The flow rate regulator 582 may be designed tocontrol the flow rate of the liquid 122 through the intravenous deliverysystem 100 by pinching the tubing 106 to a variable degree.

The flow rate regulator 582 may have a frame 510, an opposing member512, a cam member 514, and a motor 516. The frame 510 may secure theflow rate regulator 582 to the tubing 106, and may also support theopposing member 512, the cam member 514, and the motor 516. The opposingmember 512 may have curved rim 520 that abuts the tubing 106. Theopposing member 512 may be securely attached to the frame 510. The cammember 514 may have a variable radius curved rim 522 that also abuts thetubing 106. The cam member 514 may be rotatable relative to the frame510 about an axis 524 through the use of the motor 516, which may be astepper motor or other rotary motor that provides relatively accuratepositional control.

The variable radius curved rim 522 of the cam member 514 may have aradius that increases relatively continuously along the variable radiuscurved rim 522, from a minimum diameter portion 530 to a maximumdiameter portion 532. The minimum diameter portion 530 and the maximumdiameter portion 532 may be adjacent to each other; thus, the variableradius curved rim 522 may have a discontinuity that separates theminimum diameter portion 530 from the maximum diameter portion 532.

When the motor 516 rotates to orient the cam member 514 with the minimumdiameter portion 530 proximate the tubing 106, the cam member 514 andthe opposing member 512 may cooperate to exert little or no pinching onthe tubing 106, which may cause little or no restriction to flow of theliquid 122 through the tubing 106. Conversely, when the motor 516rotates to orient the cam member 514 with the maximum diameter portion532 proximate the tubing 106, the cam member 514 and the opposing member512 may cooperate to exert maximum pinching on the tubing 106, which maycause the flow rate regulator 582 to be in a fully closed state.

When the motor 516 rotates to orient the cam member 514 with a portionof the variable radius curved rim 522 between the minimum diameterportion 530 and the maximum diameter portion 532 adjacent to the tubing106, as shown in FIG. 5 , the opposing member 512 and the cam member 514may cooperate to exert a moderate level of pinching on the tubing 106,which is sufficient to slow, but not stop, flow of the liquid 122through the tubing 106. The motor 516 may enable rotation of the cammember 514 to multiple orientations between the fully open and fullyclosed states, to permit fine tuning of the flow rate of the liquid 122through the tubing 106. If desired, the variable radius curved rim 522may have a relatively smooth surface that avoids catching and/or pullingon the exterior surface of the tubing 106. As in previous embodiments,the flow rate regulator 582 may receive control signals from acontroller (not shown) via wired or wireless transmission.

Referring to FIG. 6 , a flowchart diagram illustrates a method 600 ofcontrolling the flow rate of liquid delivered with an intravenousdelivery system, according to an alternative embodiment. The method 600may be applicable particularly to embodiments in which the flow rateregulator 182 has an open state and a closed state, without anypartially open state in which flow of the liquid 122 is permitted, butrestricted. Further, the method 600 may apply particularly togravimetric flow rate measurement, using a weight measurement (asdescribed previously) of a liquid source 102 in the form of an IV bag.In the flowchart, M is the total mass of the liquid 122 to be deliveredfrom the IV bag, T is the total time over which M is to be delivered, Δtis the time increment at which the weight of the IV bag will bemeasured,

$N = \frac{T}{\Delta t}$

is the total number of time increments,

${\Delta m} = \frac{M}{N}$

is the mass increment that corresponds to the time increment, n is theincrement count, m_(n) is the IV bag weight measurement at a given timeincrement, and t_(n) is the time at which the weight of the IV bag ismeasured.

As shown, the method 600 may start 610 with receipt of input thatprovides the necessary starting values, as shown. Some of these values,such as M and T, may be provided by a clinician based on the needs ofthe patient.

In a step 620, the IV bag weight may be measured at a time t_(n). Then,in a query 630, a determination may be made as to whether the desiredtotal mass M of the liquid 122 has been delivered to the patient. If so,the method 600 may stop 690, and the flow rate regulator 182 may befully closed to prevent further delivery of the liquid 122 to thepatient. An alarm, light, or other indicator (for example, on thecontroller 184) may be activated to indicate, to a clinician, thatdelivery of the liquid 122 is complete.

If the desired total mass M of the liquid 122 has not yet been deliveredto the patient, the method 600 may continue to a step 640 in which adetermination is made as to whether the flow rate of the liquid 122 tothe patient is too low to achieve delivery of the desired total mass Mof the liquid 122 within the time T. If not, the method 600 may proceedto a step 650 in which the flow rate regulator 182 is actuated to stopflow of the liquid 122 to the patient for a single time increment Δt. Ifso, the method 600 may proceed to a step 660 in which the flow rateregulator 182 is actuated to allow flow of the liquid 122 to the patientfor a single time increment Δt.

After performance of either the step 650 or the step 660, the method 600may proceed to a step 670 in which the increment count n is incrementedto n+1. Then, in a step 680, once sufficient time has passed, adetermination may be made that it is time for the weight of the IV bagto be measured again. The method 600 may then proceed to the step 620.The method 600 may thus iterate until the query 630 is satisfied, anddelivery of the liquid 122 is complete.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its structures, methods, or other essentialcharacteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. Thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by theforegoing description. All changes that come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

We claim:
 1. A system for controlling flow of a liquid to a patientthrough use of an intravenous delivery system, the system comprising: aflow rate sensor that: measures a flow rate of the liquid through theintravenous delivery system; and generates a flow rate signal indicativeof the flow rate; a controller that: receives the flow rate signal;compares the flow rate with a desired flow rate to determine that theflow rate is different from the desired flow rate; and in response todetermining that the flow rate is different from the desired flow rate,transmits a control signal; and a flow rate regulator that: receives thecontrol signal; and in response to receipt of the control signal,modifies the flow rate to bring the flow rate closer to the desired flowrate.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow rate sensor, thecontroller, and the flow rate regulator all operate iterativelythroughout a plurality of time increments such that, in each of theplurality of time increments, the flow rate sensor measures the flowrate and generates the flow rate signal, and the controller receives theflow rate signal and compares the flow rate with the desired flow rate;wherein the controller determines that the flow rate is different fromthe desired flow rate by determining that the flow rate is greater thanthe desired flow rate; wherein, in response to receipt of the controlsignal, the flow rate regulator: modifies the flow rate by moving froman open state that permits the liquid to flow through the intravenousdelivery system, to a closed state that substantially prevents theliquid from flowing through the intravenous delivery system; and remainsin the closed state for a predetermined number of the time increments.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow rate sensor, the controller,and the flow rate regulator all operate iteratively throughout aplurality of time increments such that, in each of the plurality of timeincrements, the flow rate sensor measures the flow rate and generatesthe flow rate signal, and the controller receives the flow rate signaland compares the flow rate with the desired flow rate; wherein thecontroller determines that the flow rate is different from the desiredflow rate by determining that the flow rate is less than the desiredflow rate; wherein, in response to receipt of the control signal, theflow rate regulator: modifies the flow rate by moving from a closedstate that substantially prevents the liquid from flowing through theintravenous delivery system, to an open state in that permits the liquidto flow through the intravenous delivery system; and remains in the openstate for a predetermined number of the time increments.
 4. The systemof claim 1, wherein the controller determines that the flow rate isdifferent from the desired flow rate by determining that the flow rateis greater than the desired flow rate by a differential flow rate;wherein, in response to receipt of the control signal, the flow rateregulator moves, in proportion to the differential flow rate, to a lessopen state that permits the liquid to flow through the intravenousdelivery system at a modified flow rate smaller than the flow rate. 5.The system of claim 1, wherein the controller determines that the flowrate is different from the desired flow rate by determining that theflow rate is less than the desired flow rate by a differential flowrate; wherein, in response to receipt of the control signal, the flowrate regulator moves, in proportion to the differential flow rate, to amore open state that permits the liquid to flow through the intravenousdelivery system at a modified flow rate greater than the flow rate. 6.The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is incorporated into acomputing device comprising a display screen and a user input device,wherein the controller further: receives the desired flow rate from auser via the user input device; and initiates display of the flow rateon the display screen.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow ratesensor is secured to a drip unit of the intravenous delivery system,wherein the drip unit comprises a drip chamber and an orifice thatdelivers drops of the liquid from a liquid source to the drip chambervia gravity feed, wherein the flow rate sensor measures the flow rate bycounting drops received by the drip chamber within a predetermined timeperiod.
 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising the drip unit;wherein the drip unit comprises a key feature indicative of an orificesize of the orifice; wherein the flow rate sensor comprises a keyfeature receiver that receives the key feature in response to securementof the flow rate sensor to the drip unit; wherein the flow rate sensoruses the orifice size to determine a volume of the liquid in each of thedrops to facilitate measurement of the flow rate.
 9. The system of claim1, wherein the flow rate sensor measures the flow rate of the liquidthrough the system by: measuring a first weight of a subset of theintravenous delivery system at a first time; and measuring a secondweight of the subset at a second time separated from the first time by atime increment; wherein at least one of the flow rate sensor and thecontroller: subtracts the second weight from the first weight to obtaina differential weight; and obtains the flow rate based on thedifferential weight and the time increment.
 10. The system of claim 1,wherein the flow rate sensor measures the flow rate of the liquidthrough the system by: measuring a first volume of the liquid in asubset of the intravenous delivery system at a first time; and measuringa second volume of the liquid in the subset at a second time separatedfrom the first time by a time increment; wherein at least one of theflow rate sensor and the controller: subtracts the second volume fromthe first volume to obtain a differential volume; and obtains the flowrate based on the differential volume and the time increment.
 11. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the flow rate sensor measures the flow rateof the liquid through the system by: measuring a first temperature ofthe liquid at a first location within the intravenous delivery system;and measuring a second temperature of the liquid at a second location,downstream of the first location, within the intravenous deliverysystem; wherein at least one of the flow rate sensor and the controller:subtracts the second temperature from the first temperature to obtain adifferential temperature; and obtains the flow rate based on thedifferential temperature.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein theintravenous delivery system comprises tubing that conveys the liquid,wherein the flow rate regulator comprises: an opposing member positionedadjacent to the tubing; a cam member positioned on an opposite side ofthe tubing from the opposing member; and a motor that rotates the cammember about an axis; wherein the cam member comprises a variable radiuscurved rim that, in response to rotation of the cam member about theaxis, cooperates with the opposing member to exert a varying degree ofcompression on the tubing to modify the flow rate.
 13. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the intravenous delivery system comprises tubing thatconveys the liquid, wherein the flow rate regulator comprises: a fixturecomprising a slot oriented nonparallel and nonperpendicular to thetubing; a pinching member positioned in the slot; and a motor that urgesthe pinching member to move along the slot such that the pinching memberexerts a varying degree of compression on the tubing to modify the flowrate.
 14. The system of claim 1, further comprising the intravenousdelivery system, wherein the intravenous delivery system comprises: adrip unit that receives the liquid from a liquid source via gravityfeed; tubing comprising: a first end connectable to the drip unit toreceive the liquid from the drip unit via gravity feed; and a secondend; and an intravenous access unit connectable to the second end of thetubing, wherein the intravenous access unit is configured to receive theliquid from the second end via gravity feed and deliver the liquidintravenously to a patient.
 15. A method for controlling flow of aliquid to a patient through use of an intravenous delivery system, themethod comprising: with a flow rate sensor: measuring a flow rate of theliquid through the intravenous delivery system; and generating a flowrate signal indicative of the flow rate; with a controller: receivingthe flow rate signal; comparing the flow rate with a desired flow rateto determine that the flow rate is different from the desired flow rate;and in response to determining that the flow rate is different from thedesired flow rate, transmitting a control signal; and with a flow rateregulator: receiving the control signal; and in response to receipt ofthe control signal, modifying the flow rate to bring the flow ratecloser to the desired flow rate.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinmeasuring the flow rate, generating the flow rate signal, receiving theflow rate signal, and comparing the flow rate with the desired flow rateare all carried out iteratively throughout a plurality of timeincrements such that, in each of the plurality of time increments, theflow rate is measured, the flow rate signal is generated, the flow ratesignal is received, and the flow rate is compared with the desired flowrate; wherein modifying the flow rate comprises moving the flow rateregulator from one of an open state that permits the liquid to flowthrough the intravenous delivery system, and a closed state thatsubstantially prevents the liquid from flowing through the intravenousdelivery system, to the other of the open state and the closed state;wherein the method further comprises causing the flow rate regulator toremain in the other of the open state and the closed state for apredetermined number of the time increments.
 17. The method of claim 15,wherein determining that the flow rate is different from the desiredflow rate comprises determining that the flow rate differs from thedesired flow rate by a differential flow rate; wherein modifying theflow rate comprises moving the flow rate regulator in proportion to thedifferential flow rate to perform one of increasing the flow rate anddecreasing the flow rate.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein thecontroller is incorporated into a computing device comprising a displayscreen and a user input device, the method further comprising: via theuser input device, and prior to comparing the flow rate with the desiredflow rate, receiving the desired flow rate from a user; and via thedisplay screen and after generating the flow rate signal, initiatingdisplay of the flow rate.
 19. A system for controlling flow of a liquidto a patient, the system comprising: a drip unit comprising a dripchamber and an orifice that delivers drops of the liquid from a liquidsource to the drip chamber via gravity feed; a flow rate sensorconfigured to be coupled to the drip unit, wherein the flow rate sensor:measures a flow rate of the liquid through the drip chamber; andgenerates a flow rate signal indicative of the flow rate; a controllerthat: receives the flow rate signal; compares the flow rate with adesired flow rate to determine that the flow rate is different from thedesired flow rate; and in response to determining that the flow rate isdifferent from the desired flow rate, transmits a control signal; tubingcomprising: a first end connectable to the drip unit to receive theliquid from the drip unit via gravity feed; and a second end; a flowrate regulator configured to be coupled to the tubing, wherein the flowrate regulator: receives the control signal; and in response to receiptof the control signal, adjusts a level of compression applied to thetubing to modify the flow rate to bring the flow rate closer to thedesired flow rate; and an intravenous access unit connectable to thesecond end of the tubing, wherein the intravenous access unit isconfigured to receive the liquid from the second end via gravity feedand deliver the liquid intravenously to a patient.
 20. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the controller is incorporated into a computing devicecomprising a display screen and a user input device, wherein thecontroller further: receives the desired flow rate from a user via theuser input device; and initiates display of the flow rate on the displayscreen.